Cartridge for beverage dispenser

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for a beverage dispenser includes a top that has a perimeter forming an opening therein, an intermediate portion connected to the top, and a bottom connected to the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has at least five openings formed therein. The intermediate portion forms a receiving space between the top and the bottom.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.______. entitled Single Serving Beverage Container, filed Dec. 23, 2013,the contents of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to cartridges for beveragedispensers, particularly cartridges for single serve beveragedispensers.

BACKGROUND

Single serve beverage dispensers utilize cartridges that are used tobrew, for example, one cup of coffee. The top of the cartridge iscovered with a sealing layer. The sealing layer is punctured, and heatedwater is injected through the hole into the cartridge to extract thebrew of coffee from the grounds in the cartridge. The bottom of thecartridge is subsequently punctured, and the coffee is filtered outthrough the hole in the bottom of the cartridge. However, this methoddoes not control the flow rate of the water, leading to variation of thebrew. The water temperature should be at least 79 degrees Celsius.Furthermore, if the water is not in contact with the coffee (or othergranulated product) for a sufficient duration, the coffee brew will beof inconsistent flavor. Also, cartridges are often not shipped in anefficient manner. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a cartridge in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a side elevational and view of a cartridge in accordance withan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view of a cartridge in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a cartridge inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of multiple cartridges stacked in a nestedmanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale andthe proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustratedetails and features. The description is not to be considered aslimiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now bepresented.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly orindirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarilylimited to physical connections. The connection can be such that theobjects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term“substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to theparticular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies,such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantiallycylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have oneor more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” means“including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicatesopen-ended inclusion or membership in a so-described combination, group,series and the like.

The present disclosure provides for a cartridge for a beverage dispenserthat can include a top that has a perimeter forming an opening therein,an intermediate portion connected to the top, and a bottom connected tothe intermediate portion. The intermediate portion can have at leastfive openings formed therein. The intermediate portion can form areceiving space between the top and the bottom.

The cartridge can be made of a polymer. The polymer can have a meltingpoint greater than 95 degrees Celsius. In at least one embodiment, themelting point of the polymer can be about 210 degrees Celsius to about220 degrees Celsius. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge can bemade of polypropylene homopolymer (including, the filtration material).The cartridge can be made of biodegradable and/or recyclable. Thedensity of the polymer can be about 0.90 g/cm³. The melt flow index ofthe polymer can be about 16.

The opening can be closed with a lid coupled with the perimeter of thetop. In at least one embodiment, the lid can be made of polyester. Thelid can be heat sealed to the top. The heat sealing temperature rangecan be about 180 degrees Celsius to about 200 degree Celsius.

In at least one embodiment, the at least five openings in theintermediate portion can be covered with a filtration material. In atleast one embodiment, the filtration material can be removable from thecartridge. In other embodiments, the filtration material can bepermanently coupled to the cartridge. The filtration material can bemade of a compatible, recyclable material as its parent construction. Sofar or other suitable material.

In at least one embodiment, the top and the bottom of the cartridge canbe substantially circular. A width of the top can be greater than awidth of the bottom. In at least one embodiment, the intermediateportion can be tapered from the top to the bottom. The intermediateportion can have an upper portion proximate the top and a lower portionproximate the bottom. A stepped portion can connect the upper portionand the lower portion. In at least one embodiment, the bottom of onecartridge can be receivable in the receiving portion of anothercartridge in a nesting configuration. Thus, the stepped portion of thereceived cartridge can abut the top of the receiving cartridge, whennested.

In at least one embodiment, the bottom of the cartridge can have atleast five openings formed therein corresponding to the five openings inthe intermediate portion. In at least one embodiment, the five openingsin the bottom can be proximate the five openings in the intermediateportion and separated therefrom by a perimeter of an outer edge of thebottom. In other embodiments, the five openings in the bottom can beproximate the five openings in the intermediate portion and share atleast one side.

In at least one embodiment, at least three of the five openings in thebottom can be the same size as each other, and at least two of the fiveopenings in the bottom can be the same as each other. In otherembodiments, the five openings in the bottom can be the same size.

In at least one embodiment, a height of the five openings can be atleast 30% of a height of the cartridge.

The cartridge can contain any granulated material such as coffee, tea orsoup in the receiving space. In other embodiments, the cartridge cancontain any material that can be steeped to create a beverage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cartridge 100 for a beverage dispenser (not shown)in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The cartridge 100 caninclude a top 102, an intermediate portion 108 connected to the top 102,and a bottom 112 connected to the intermediate portion 108. Theintermediate portion 108 can form a receiving space 130 between the top102 and the bottom 112. In at least one embodiment, the receiving space130 can receive coffee grounds (or a different granulated material). Inother embodiments, the receiving space 130 can receive tea leaves or anymaterial that can be steeped to create a beverage. The intermediateportion 108 can have two or more openings 110 formed therein. In atleast one embodiment, the intermediate portion 108 can have at leastfive openings 110 formed therein.

The cartridge 100 can be made of a polymer. In at least one embodiment,the cartridge 100 can be made of polypropylene homopolymer. Thecartridge 100 can be recycled and maintain reusability and structuralintegrity after being subjected to multiple uses. In at least oneembodiment, the melting point of the cartridge 100 can be greater than79 degrees Celsius. In other embodiments, the melting point of thecartridge 100 can be greater than 95 degrees Celsius. In yet otherembodiments, the melting point of the cartridge 100 can be about 210degrees Celsius to about 220 degrees Celsius. The density of the polymercan be about 0.90 g/cm³. The melt flow index of the polymer can be about16.

The top 102 can have a perimeter 104 forming an opening 106 therein. Inat least one embodiment, the top 102 and the bottom 112 can besubstantially circular. In other embodiments, the top 102 and the bottom112 can be any shape, for example rectangular, ovoid, or triangular. Inyet other embodiments, the top 102 and the bottom 112 are not the sameshape. The bottom 112 can be flat to allow for efficient packaging.

FIG. 2A shows an example embodiment of a cartridge 100. As shown in FIG.2A, a width of the top 102 of the cartridge can be greater than a widthof the bottom 112. The intermediate portion 108 can be tapered 116 fromthe top 102 to the bottom 112. In at least one embodiment, theintermediate portion can have an upper portion 118 proximate the top 102and a lower portion 125 proximate the bottom 112. A stepped portion 122can connect the upper portion 118 and the lower portion 125. In at leastone embodiment, a width of the step portion 122 can correspond to awidth of the bottom 112. When stacked, one cartridge 100 can fit withinthe receiving space 130 of another cartridge 100 in a nestingconfiguration. In at least one embodiment, when in a nestingconfiguration, the bottom 112 of one cartridge 100 can abut the top 102of the receiving cartridge 100.

FIG. 2B shows another example embodiment of a cartridge 100. Thecartridge 100 illustrated in FIG. 2B is similar to that of FIG. 2A,except that the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 are of adifferent size. Specifically, the openings 110 in FIG. 2B have a greaterheight than those in FIG. 2A.

The openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 can have a height H ofat least 30% of the height of the cartridge 100. In at least oneembodiment, the height H of the openings 110 in the intermediate portioncan be at least 10.95 millimeters. The openings 110 can be spaced bydistance W, which in at least one embodiment is nine millimeters.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the top 102 can have a diameter of 52.5millimeters. The diameter of the opening 106 in the top 102 can have adiameter of 46.5 millimeters. The height of the perimeter 104 of the top102 can be 0.85 millimeters. The height of the upper portion 118 can be7.8 millimeters. The height of the lower portion 125 can be 27.85millimeters. The diameter of the bottom 112 can be 37 millimeters. Theheight of cartridge 100 (the height of the intermediate portion 108 plusthe height of the perimeter 104) can be 36.5 millimeters.

The openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 can be covered with afiltration material 114. The filtration material 114 can be used toprevent material in the receiving portion 130 from leaving the cartridge100, only allowing the liquid beverage through. The filtration material114 can be made of polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon, or othersuitable material, as discussed above. In at least one embodiment, thefiltration material 114 can be removably coupled to the cartridge 100.In other embodiments, the filtration material 114 can be permanentlycoupled to the cartridge 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom 112 can have openings 132 formed thereinwhich correspond to the openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108.The openings can be covered with suitable filtration material 114. Theopenings 132 in the bottom 112 can be proximate the openings 110 in theintermediate portion 108 and share at least one side. In at least oneembodiment, at least three of the five openings 132 in the bottom 112are the same size as each other, and at least the other two of the fiveopenings 132 in the bottom are the same size as each other. The steepingtime of the beverage can be controlled by the area of the openings 110,132 in the intermediate portion 108 and the bottom 112 and thefiltration material 114.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the cartridge 100. In theillustrated embodiment, the openings 132 in the bottom 112 are proximatethe openings 110 in the intermediate portion 108 and separated therefromby a perimeter 134 of an outer edge 136 of the bottom 112.

In at least one embodiment, a cartridge 100 can be configured such thatit can receive another cartridge and be received by another cartridge ina nested fashion. FIG. 6 is an isometric view of multiple cartridges 100stacked in a nested manner. Such nesting can make shipping of cartridgesmore efficient and less expensive than would otherwise be the case.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even thoughnumerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology havebeen set forth in the foregoing description, together with details ofthe structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including inmatters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within theprinciples of the present disclosure up to, and including, the fullextent established by the broad general meaning of the terms use in theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge (100) for a beverage dispenser, thecartridge (100) comprising: a top (102) having a perimeter (104) formingan opening (106) therein; an intermediate portion (108) connected to thetop (102), the intermediate portion (108) having at least five openings(110) formed therein; and a bottom (112) connected to the intermediateportion (108), wherein the intermediate portion (108) forms a receivingspace (130) between the top (102) and the bottom (112).
 2. The cartridge(100) of claim 1, wherein the at least five openings (110) in theintermediate portion (108) are covered with a filtration material (114).3. The cartridge (100) of claim 2, wherein the filtration materialcomprises polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon.
 4. The cartridge(100) of claim 1, wherein the top (102) and the bottom (112) aresubstantially circular.
 5. The cartridge (100) of claim 4, wherein awidth of the top (102) is greater than a width of the bottom (112). 6.The cartridge (100) of claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion (108)is tapered (116) from the top (102) to the bottom (112).
 7. Thecartridge (100) of claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion (108) hasan upper portion (118) proximate the top (102) and a lower portion (125)proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion (122) connecting the upperportion (118) and the lower portion (125).
 8. The cartridge (100) ofclaim 2, wherein the bottom (112) has at least five openings (132)formed therein corresponding to the five openings (110) in theintermediate portion (108).
 9. The cartridge (100) of claim 8, whereinthe five openings (132) in the bottom (112) are proximate the fiveopenings (110) in the intermediate portion (108) and separated therefromby a perimeter (134) of an outer edge (136) of the bottom (112).
 10. Thecartridge (100) of claim 8, wherein the five openings (132) in thebottom (112) are proximate the five openings (110) in the intermediateportion (108) and share at least one side.
 11. The cartridge (100) ofclaim 8, wherein at least three of the five openings (132) in the bottom(112) are the same size as each other, and at least two of the fiveopenings (132) in the bottom (112) are the same size as each other. 12.The cartridge (100) of claim 2, wherein a height of the five openings isat least 30% of a height of the cartridge.
 13. The cartridge (100) ofclaim 1, wherein the cartridge (100) is made of a polymer.
 14. Thecartridge (100) of claim 13, wherein the polymer is polypropylene.
 15. Acartridge (100) having a height of 36.5 millimeters for a beveragedispenser, the cartridge (100) comprising: a top (102) having a diameterof 52.5 millimeters and having a perimeter (104) forming an opening(106) therein, the opening (106) having a diameter of 46.5 millimeters;an intermediate portion (108) connected to the top (102), theintermediate portion (108) having at least five openings (110) formedtherein; and a bottom (112) connected to the intermediate portion (108),the bottom having a diameter of 37 millimeters, wherein the intermediateportion (108) forms a receiving space (130) between the top (102) andthe bottom (112); and wherein the intermediate portion (108) has anupper portion (118) having a height of 7.8 millimeters, proximate thetop (102), and a lower portion (125) having a height of 27.85millimeters, proximate the bottom, and a stepped portion (122)connecting the upper portion (118) and the lower portion (125).